Wheelie bins are set on fire in Craigneuk

Staff at the Glencassels Community Development Group were furious when they discovered the bins had been set on fire (Image: Wishaw Press)

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Staff at the Craigneuk community centre - known locally as ‘The Venny’ - were fuming after discovering their wheelie bins had been set on fire over the weekend.

A total of three bins – brown, blue and green – were stolen from the Glencassels Community Development Group and set alight under the railway bridge at Glencairn Avenue on Sunday afternoon, the latest in a catalogue of attacks on the centre.

Angry staff members expressed their disgust over the incident and admitted they can’t believe that someone would want to cause the centre, which provides vital support for local children, such trouble.

Chairperson Ella McNaughton said: “Every weekend myself and the other staff find ourselves confronted with one problem after another. The fences have been damaged on several occasions and other parts of the property often get vandalised.

“I felt sick to my stomach when I seen our bins had been taken once again.

“These bins cost money. Money that we don’t have. We will have to use the funds we raise from our bingo night on Thursday to pay for a new green bin.

“The money usually goes towards the children’s annual holiday and I feel terrible that we will have to use it to buy a new bin.”

It is thought the callous thieves cut the handles from the padlocked wheelie bins and dragged them over a nearby fence before torching them for the second time this year.

Ella continued: “Those responsible need to be caught. They can’t keep getting away with this, its not fair on the people who work hard to try and make the community a better place.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “About 4.15pm on Sunday November 24 a report was received by police from the fire service regarding wheelie bins being set alight under the bridge at Glencairn Avenue, Wishaw.

“At about on 9.30am on Monday November 25, two reports were received regarding thefts of wheelie bins. One from Glencassels Community Centre and one from a local resident.

“Both thefts are being investigated by local officers.”

Craigneuk councillor Tommy Lunny said: “I don’t know what buzz people get out of setting these bins on fire but what I do know is that it’s a big problem in the Craigneuk area that needs to be resolved.

“The police and fire service are working hard to prevent these incidents from occurring and I hope something gets done about it soon.”